Rosey and Tips and Tricks for Better Waldorf Doll Making

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Rosey is a little different than my typical mohair yarn Waldorf dolls.  She has hair that can be brushed.  It can be braided and styled as well.  I'm working on her part line to clean it up and will be adding one more weft to blend away areas of her wig cap that are still somewhat visible.  

She has a lot of freckles, it seemed to fit her and plum colored eyes with a sweet little mouth.  I've been really tweaking my doll felting techniques focusing a lot on the mouth.  Chins and cheeks are pretty straightforward.  I'm also toying with making her eyes wider and bigger.  Any thoughts?  

A little on sewing the doll's body

As you can see, I sew a double line.  This is not a double needle but two separate times that I sew all the way around the doll's body.  The reason is if you a thread were to break this will provide an inner support for the wool to stay in place.  I don't use a double needle because it is not as strong as a single straight stitch.  I do not use a zigzag either because this is where the fabric does not stretch so a straight, small stitch is ideal as the fabric when cut and sewn stretches one way, side to side.  And there is no stretch up and down.

An aside on my second doll that I ever made, I cut the stretch length-wise so the arms when stuffed were super skinny and long.  It was pretty silly looking but he loved that doll anyhow.  If you look closely you can see the grain of the fabric but if you are unsure, grab a piece and gentle tug, you will see and feel the difference and know immediately which way the stretch is.  Look at those freakishly long arms and lack of thumbs.  LOL!  We all start somewhere, right?  This was over 7 years ago.  I've improved a lot I'd like to think since then.

Remember when Waldorf doll making to have the stretch from side to side (width of doll) for the body.  The arms the stretch should be the width as well, not from shoulder to hands.  The head you can place on the fold of the doll skin, I place my head slightly over the fold and then trace.  I always sew the neck the smallest and then stuff from the neck up.  This avoids any neck wrinkles.

Until next time!  Happy doll making, doll admiring and stay inspired!